About 45 per cent of respondents said the pension should be available to men and women from age 65.

More than a third of Australians don't believe they will have enough money to live comfortably on when they retire and less than half are saving for retirement outside of compulsory superannuation contributions.

It also revealed women were most concerned about becoming a burden on their family in their old age, and this fear was exacerbated in low income households.

Women were also more likely to report negative effects on their work lives while being a carer for an older relative, while men reported a greater impact on their family lives due to these responsibilities.

About 78 per cent believed older Australians should enjoy their money and not worry about leaving an inheritance.

While the poll recorded the largest increase in satisfaction in Australia's future in its history, it also found a hardening of views about the direction in which the country was headed.

Older Australians were more likely to report being very satisfied or very dissatisfied relative to other ages.

Those over 45 were more likely to be unhappy with where Australia is going but the proportion of those satisfied increased when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull came into power.

About one in four respondents thought jobs and the economy were the biggest problem facing Australia today, while approximately one in five were most concerned about immigration.

Only about 6 per cent of respondents said terrorism was the most important issue in Australia today.

The results of the poll are based on telephone interviews conducted in October last year.